COVID "NORMAL"

Well, Melbourne seems to be over the COVID-19 second wave, with no new cases and no deaths reported in the last 10 days. Most of the draconian restrictions have now been lifted, although we still wear masks outside and maintain social distancing rules. Although most businesses have opened, there are still restrictions in the numbers of people allowed inside and there are other restrictions still in place regarding maximum numbers allowable in public gatherings.

The good news is that Pfizer, the multinational pharmaceutical company, has just announced that a COVID vaccine they have developed is 90% efficient in preventing infection in vaccinees. This has been confirmed by extensive clinical trials in which the vaccine or a placebo was administered to over 40,000 people. Commercial production of this vaccine has commenced and its worldwide distribution is planned. Our lives may well get back to normal sooner rather than later...

This post is part of the Our World Tuesday meme,

and also part of the Ruby Tuesday meme,

and also part of the Travel Tuesday meme,

and also part of the Wordless Wednesday meme.

LABYRINTH

This post is part of the Mosaic Monday meme,

and also part of the Blue Monday meme,

and also part of the Seasons meme.

CONFABULISTS

In the Yarra Bend Park in suburban Melbourne, about 5 km from CBD.

This post is part of the My Sunday Best meme.

DOG WALK

In the Yarra Bend Park, suburban Melbourne, about 5km NE of the CBD.

This post is part of the Saturday Critters meme.

SOUTHERN CROSS

Crux is a constellation located in the southern sky in a bright portion of the Milky Way. It is among the most easily distinguished constellations, as all of its four main stars have an apparent visual magnitude above +2.8, even though it is the smallest of all 88 modern constellations. Its name is Latin for 'cross', and it is dominated by a cross-shaped or kite-like asterism that is sometimes known as the Southern Cross.

Predominating is the first-magnitude blue-white star of Alpha Crucis or Acrux, being the constellation's brightest and most southerly member. Crux is followed by four dominate stars, descending in clockwise order by magnitude: Beta, Gamma (one of the closest red giants to Earth), Delta and Epsilon Crucis. Many of these brighter stars are members of the Scorpius–Centaurus Association, a large but loose group of hot blue-white stars that appear to share common origins and motion across the southern Milky Way.

The constellation contains four Cepheid variables that are each visible to the naked eye under optimum conditions. Crux also contains the bright and colourful open cluster known as the Jewel Box (NGC 4755) and, to the southwest, partly includes the extensive dark nebula, known as the Coalsack Nebula.

This post is part of the Skywatch Friday meme,

ROSA 'REMEMBER ME'

The 'Remember Me' Rose bears blooms of deep copper blended with yellow that open from high pointed centres to become large gorgeous flowers. It has a light and delicate fragrance. This rose has dark glossy foliage and a bushy growth.

'Remember Me' is best placed in a position of full sunlight, as it does not handle the shade well. It prefers moist well drained soils, and benefits from applications of fertiliser during the growing season. This rose is very strong and healthy, with flowers of a lovely colour, making it quite popular.

This post is part of the Floral Friday Fotos meme.

LONE WALKER

After the festivities of the Melbourne Cup, the Parklands have gone back to their normal serene, natural state. The odd morning walker, masked and socially distant, observed and recorded by another lone walker.

This post is part of the Wordless Wednesday meme,

and also part of the My Corner of the World meme,

and also part of the Nature Notes meme.

CUP DAY AT THE PARKLANDS

This year, for the first time in its history, The Victoria Racing Club (VRC) advised the general public, that in light of the COVID 19 pandemic, it was not possible to welcome spectators to Flemington Racecourse for the 2020 Melbourne Cup Carnival. The tens of thousands of spectators who normally filled the Flemington Racecourse, found other ways to celebrate on this most important Melbourne public holiday.

In the Darebin Parklands, many people went in early in the morning to reserve the best spots for their day out of picnicking, drinking, having a laugh with family and friends and of course listening to the calling of the Big Race at 3:00 pm in the afternoon... It was a glorious Summer's day and I must say everyone was quite sensible about social distancing and mask wearing (except when sipping champagne and munching on canapés, of course!).

This post is part of the Our World Tuesday meme,

and also part of the Travel Tuesday meme,

and also part of the Wordless Wednesday meme.

MEET THE NEIGHBOURS

A few houses around the neighbourhood where I live in one of Melbourne's inner city suburbs.

 

This post is part of the Mosaic Monday meme,

and also part of the Blue Monday meme,

and also part of the Seasons meme.

RELAXING...

This post is part of the My Sunday Best meme.